Backhoe attached pump

ABSTRACT

A pump specifically adapted for attachment to a backhoe and including a hydraulic motor integrally mounted with the pump and being drivingly connected with a source of hydraulic fluid pressure normally available on the backhoe. The pump facilitates removal of water from construction site ditches, excavations, and the like.

United States Patent 1191 Crisafulli Dec. 18, 1973 BACKHOE ATTACHED PUMP 1,973,325 9/1934 Berger 417/61 2 697 846 l2/l954 Wilcox ct al.. [76] Inventor: Angelo J. Crlsafulli, P.O. Box 1051, 3'394'656 7 1968 C 417 X Glendive Mom. 59330 1 owery I360 [22] Fil d; A 3, 1971 Primary ExaminerWilliam L. Freeh Attorney-Clarence A. OBrien et al. [21] Appl. No.: 168,551

[57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. 417/231 A pump specifically adapted for attachment to a back- [51] Int. Cl. F04b 17/06 hoe and including a hydraulic motor integrally [58] Field of Search 214/620; 417/231, mounted with the pump and being drivingly connected 417/61 with a source of hydraulic fluid pressure normally available on the backhoe. The pump facilitates re- [56] References Cited moval of water from construction site ditches, excava- UNITED STATES PATENTS i and the i e- 2,698,583 House et al 417/231 8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures r 1 BACKHOE ATTACHED PUMP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to a pumping unit and more specifically a pumping unit especially useful at a construction site and which is adapted to be quickly and easily attached to or removed from a backhoe and which is hydraulically driven by a hydraulic motor mounted on the pump and connected with a pump shaft whereby the hydraulic pressure source normally provided on a backhoe may be employed for driving the pump thereby enabling the pump to be readily employed to remove water from an excavation, ditch or the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art Removal of excess water from ditches, excavations and the like at a construction site is a frequently encountered problem. Usually, a separate pump unit is made available which includes an intake hose,.pipe or the like which is lowered into the water to be removed and the pump is driven, usually by a separate internal combustion engine. While such devices perform satisfactorily under some circumstances, when a substantial quantity of water is involved, there is substantial time loss involved while the relatively small capacity pump is removing the water. In addition, such separate pumping units are rather difficult to move from place to place and frequently are not at the location at which they are needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a pumping unit including a high capacity centrifugal pump such as shown in prior US Pat. No. 3,371,614 driven byan orbit-type hydraulic motor rigidly connected to the pump casing and framework associated therewith which will rotate the impeller at a desired speed and also eliminate danger of damage to the pump due to shock or other forces that may be caused by a large solid object such as a rock becoming lodged in the pump.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pumping unit including structural features which enable it to be readily and quickly attached to or detached from a backhoe with the hydraulic drive motor for the pump being connected to the hydraulic pressure system of the backhoe thereby enabling the pump to be lowered into a water filled ditch or excavation to quickly and easily remove water therefrom after which the pumping unit may be quickly removed from the backhoe and the backhoe then used in its normal manner.

A further object is to provide a pumping unit in accordance with the preceding object which may be attached directly to a conventional bucket on a backhoe without modification thereof.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a pumping unit that includes pointed depending legs or a plate spaced from the inlet which provides support for the pump and limits its downward movement so that the pump inlet will normally be spaced slightly away from the bottom of the excavation to prevent excessive intake of solid material from the bottom of the excavation or ditch.

Yet another feature of the invention is to provide a pumping unit which is quite simple in construction, adapted for various uses, efficient in operation as well as relatively inexpensive to manufacture and operate. These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the pumping unit of the present invention attached to a backhoe bucket and drivingly connected to the hydraulic system of the backhoe.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the outer end portion of the construction of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the discharge pipe and mounting brackets for the hydraulic motor for actuating the pump.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the invention illustrating support from a tension cable or the like.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 55 of FIG. 4 illustrating further structural details of the pumping unit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now specifically to the drawings, the pumping unit of the present invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10 and includes a centrifugal pump generally designated by the numeral 12 which is disclosed in detail in US Pat. No. 3,37l,614, issued Mar. 5, 1968, which is incorporated herein by reference with the pump 12 being disposed with the axis of rotation thereof generally vertically disposed within an excavation or ditch 16 that is filled or partially filled with water 18. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the excavation is provided with a recess 20 therein generally defining a sump into which the pump 12 may be lowered for removing all of the water 18 from the excavation 16 since the sump or basin will receive water flowing from the remainder of the excavation. The sump or basin 20 may be formed by use of a backhoe or other construction equipment and may be formed at any time such as when stopping construction operations for the day.

The pumping unit 10 is mounted on a backhoe generally designated by the numeral 22 which includes a boom structure 24 and a hydraulically controlled bucket 26 supported from the outer end thereof which can be pivoted about a generally horizontal axis in a conventional manner. The bucket 26 may be employed to fonn the basin or sump 20 in a well known manner. The pumping unit 10 is attached to the backhoe bucket 26 without alteration or modification thereof so that the pumping unit 10 may be manipulated by manipulation of the boom and bucket in a conventional manner for quickly and easily lowering the pumping unit 10 into the excavation 16.

The pump 12 includes a casing 28 in which an impeller is rotatable and an upwardly extending discharge pipe or conduit 30 is integral with the peripheral portion of the casing. The casing has upper and lower inlets and a drive shaft extending into the interior thereof with the drive shaft being designated by the numeral 32 and supported by suitable upper and lower bearing structures 34 with the upper bearing structure being supported from the pipe 30 by bracket 36 and the lower bearing structure being supported from the casing 28 by downwardly converging braces 38.

Disposed below the casing 28 is an end plate 40 supported by spaced braces 42 which provides a support for the pump and also limits its downward movement so that the casing 28 will be spaced from the bottom of the excavation with this device also protecting the pump inlet. While fluid material including mud may be passed between the braces 42 and 38, these braces do serve to prevent entry of large solid objects such as rocks and the like into the pump. Also, the upper bearing 34 is braced by inclined braces 44 which not only rigidify the bearing but also serve to protect the upper inlet.

The shaft 32 is driven by an orbit-type hydraulic motor 46 supported on a bracket plate 48 attached to the outlet pipe 30 by bracket members 50 which may be secured thereto in any suitable manner such as by welding or the like. The hydraulic motor 46 is connected to the shaft 32 in a direct manner such as by a suitable coupling or connector 52 of any conventional type. The hydraulic motor 46 is connected to hydraulic supply and return hoses or conduits 54 which extend to and are connected to a coupling or connection 56 in the hydraulic system of the backhoe 22 to provide for circulation of hydraulic fluid through the motor 46 for operation thereof in a well known manner.

The upper end of the discharge pipe 30 is provided with a discharge tube or hose 58 of flexible construction attached to the pipe 30 by a suitable clamp 60 or the like. Also, the bracket members 50 are provided with loops or hooks 62 affixed thereto to which a flexible chain 64 is connected that encircles the bucket 26 in a manner illustrated in H05. 1 and 2. The chain 64 is provided with a suitable connector and tightener assembly 66 which enables the chain 64 to be readily connected with and released from the bucket 26. Thus, with the pump setting on the end plate 40 on a supporting surface, the backhoe boom and bucket 26 are maneuvered into a position so that the bucket is brought alongside of the pump in the orientation illustrated in FIG. 1 and the chain 64 is then assembled around the bucket and tightened thereby securely fastening the pumping unit to the backhoe bucket so that by manipulation of the boom and bucket, the position of the pump may be adjusted as desired and the pump oriented in a desired relationship to the excavation.

The couplings 56 for the hoses 54 may be in the form of two quick disconnect hydraulic couplings installed on the hydraulic lines activating the bucket 26 so that when these lines are connected, it is only necessary to connect the hoses to the couplings 56. This enables the pump to be put into operation in a very short period of time with the pump being capable of delivering a high capacity of water and mud or other similar flowable material. Since the pump is hydraulically driven by an orbit motor, possible damage due to a rock getting into the intake port and jamming the impeller has been eliminated. Also, because of the length of the backhoe boom, a long reach and positioning of the pump may be obtained thus enabling the pump to be placed in hard to get to areas. Also, this eliminates the need for an extra power source although the same pump driven by a separate power source could be supported from the backhoe boom or used as a separate component such as in bridge pier caissons or the like.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which the pumping unit is suspended by a flexible cable 70 rather than by the chain 64 thus enabling the pump unit to be supported by various types of equipment provided with a winch by which the cable may be manipulated to raise or lower the pumping unit,

Also, in this form of the invention, the supporting braces or legs 42' which extend downwardly from the casing 28 are provided with pointed lower ends 72 which will extend into the supporting surface to prevent rotation of'the pumping unit thereby preventing the pumping unit from tending to twist about the supporting cable 70. These braces or legs having the pointed ends serve not only as supports but also act to prevent any torque that may be produced by the rotation of the pump impeller from twisting the cable 70 and the associated hoses 54, discharge pipe 58 and the like.

This pumping unit is capable of many utilities such as dewatering, drainage or water supply in connection with construction projects, flood abatement, irrigation or drainage projects. The hydraulic pressure for operating the motor may be derived from any suitable hydraulic system which may be a separate system or a system normally provided on construction machines and the pumping unit may be attached or supported by such machines including a backhoe, trench hoe, drag line, power shovel or loader of any type which is capable of lifting and placing the pumping unit directly in the water to be pumped. The pumping unit may be attached to the machine by use of various brackets, bolts, pins or the like to provide quick and easy connection and disconnection such as the chain and hooks illustrated or the pump may be provided with bracket structure to be directly affixed to the boom as a replacement for the bucket. Any suitable type of clevis, hook, loop or the like may be provided for connection with the suspending cable structure so that when the pump is suspended, it will be disposed normally substantially in a vertical position.

The pump size and capacity as well as the specific structure of the pump itself may be varied with it being essential that the pumping unit be of integral construction, that is, the driving motor being connected drivingly to the impeller shaft of the pump and being supported directly from the pump structure itself. This provides for a fixed and rigid relationship between the pump and drive unit. The supporting plate or pointed supporting legs may vary in length and construction and provide support for and limit movement of the pump toward a supporting surface. The pump may be partially or completely immersed in water or other liquid, slurry or suspension to be pumped and may be also provided with its own energy source, such as an electric motor, internal combustion engine or other suitable device to power the pump. For example, in lieu of the hydraulic motor illustrated, the pump may be powered by a submersible electric motor mounted in substantially the same manner as the hydraulic motor.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A movable integral pumping unit adapted to be partially or completely immersed in flowable material to be pumped comprising a pump including a casing and drive shaft, drive motor means drivingly connected to said shaft and supported rigid with said casing thereby providing a movable integral unit, and means on said pumping unit for quick connection with and disconnection from a supporting structure by virtue of which the pumping unit may be easily moved, said motor means being in the form of a hydraulic motor, flexible hose means connected with the hydraulic motor and adapted to be quickly and easily connected and disconnected in relation to a source of hydraulic pressure for driving the motor, said means on the pumping unit for connection with a supporting structure including a pair of spaced brackets receiving a flexible member, said flexible member encircling a bucket on the outer end of a boom of a backhoe, said hydraulic hoses being connected to the hydraulic system of the backhoe for supplying driving force to the hydraulic motor with the backhoe boom being manipulated in a manner to position the pumping unit with the pump partially or completely immersed in the flowable material, said pump casing including downwardly extending legs to provide support for the casing to space it from the bottom of a reservoir containing the flowable material, said depending legs terminating in pointed ends for penetration of the supporting surface to prevent rotation of the pumping unit due to torque produced by the hydraulic motor on driving the pump.

2. A movable integral pumping unit adapted to be partially or completely immersed in flowable material to be pumped comprising a pump including a casing and drive shaft, drive motor means drivingly connected to said shaft and supported rigid with said casing thereby providing a movable integral unit, and means on said pumping unit for quick connection with and disconnection from a supporting structure by virtue of which the pumping unit may be easily moved, said motor means being in the form of a hydraulic motor, flexible hose means connected with the hydraulic motor and adapted to be quickly and easily connected and disconnected in relation to a source of hydraulic pressure for driving the motor, said means on the pumping unit for connection with a supporting structure including a pair of spaced brackets receiving a flexible member, said flexible member encircling a bucket on the outer end of a boom of a backhoe, said hydraulic hoses being connected to the hydraulic system of the backhoe for supplying driving force to the hydraulic motor with the backhoe boom being manipulated in a manner to position the pumping unit with the pump partially or completely immersed in the flowable material, said pump casing including downwardly extending legs to provide support for the casing to space it from the bottom of a reservoir containing the flowable material, said depending legs including a bottom plate connecting the lower ends thereof for engagement with the bottom surface of a reservoir for the flowable material to space the pump casing from the bottom of the reservoir.

3. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said casing includes a rigid discharge pipe extending upwardly therefrom generally in parallel relation to the drive shaft, said brackets rigidly supporting the hydraulic motor from the discharge pipe for forming an integral unit with the hydraulic motor connected with the drive shaft.

4. A pumping unit comprising a pump including a casing with inlet means and outlet means, drive means for the pump, means on said pumping unit for supporting connection with construction machines or the like such as a backhoe, drag line, power shovel and the like having a lift device associated therewith to enable the pumping unit to be manipulated for placement directly into a site from which flowable material is to be pumped, said inlet means in the casing including a downwardly facing inlet opening enabling entry of flowable material when the pumping unit is lowered so that the inlet opening is at least partially below the level of the flowable material, a plurality of downwardly depending legs connected with said casing to provide support for the casing and space the inlet opening from a supporing surface to assure access of flowable material to the inlet opening, each of said depending legs terminating in pointed lower ends for penetration of the supporting surface to prevent rotation of the pumping unit due to torque produced by driving the pump.

5. The structure as defined in claim 4 wherein said outlet means includes a rigid discharge pipe extending rigidly upwardly from the casing, said drive means for the pump including a drive motor supported above the casing, a drive shaft extending between the motor and casing for driving the pump, bracket members rigidly supporting the motor from the discharge pipe to provide a fixed relationship between the components of the pumping unit, said means for supporting connections with construction machines comprising a flexible suspension cable connected with the pumping unit to suspend the casing, the pointed ends of the legs penetrating the supporting surface preventing twisting of the cable.

6. A pumping unit comprising a pump including a casing with inlet means and outlet means, drive means for the pump, means on said pumping unit for supporting connection with construction machines or the like such as a backhoe, drag line, power shovel and the like having a lift device associated therewith to enable the pumping unit to be manipulated for placement directly into a site from which flowable material is to be pumped, said inlet means in the casing including a downwardly facing inlet opening enabling entry of flowable material when the pumping unit is lowered so that the inlet opening is at least partially below the level of the flowable material, a plurality of downwardly depending legs connected with said casing to provide support for the casing and space the inlet opening from a supporting surface to assure access of flowable material to the inlet opening, a bottom plate connected to the lower ends of said depending legs for engagement with the supporting surface to support the pumping unit and space the casing from the supporting surface.

7. The structure as defined in claim 6 wherein said outlet means includes a rigid discharge pipe extending upwardly from the casing, said drive means including a motor above the casing and a drive shaft interconnecting the motor and pump, bracket members rigidly supporting the drive motor and shaft from the discharge pipe thereby maintaining a rigid interrelationship of the components of the pumping unit, said means for supporting connection with construction machines comprising means on the pumping unit receiving a tightenable flexible member adapted to be disposed means adapted to be connected with a hydraulic pressure system of the construction machine thereby enabling manipulation of the pumping unit and operation of the hydraulic motor to drive the same from the construction machine without modification of the construction machine. 

1. A movable integral pumping unit adapted to be partially or completely immersed in flowable material to be pumped comprising a pump including a casing and drive shaft, drive motor means drivingly connected to said shaft and supported rigid with said casing thereby providing a movable integral unit, and means on said pumping unit for quick connection with and disconnection from a supporting structure by virtue of which the pumping unit may be easily moved, said motor means being in the form of a hydraulic motor, flexible hose means connected with the hydraulic motor and adapted to be quickly and easily connected and disconnected in relation to a source of hydraulic pressure for driving the motor, said means on the pumping unit for connection with a supporting structure including a pair of spaced brackets receiving a flexible member, said flexible member encircling a bucket on the outer end of a boom of a backhoe, said hydraulic hoses being connected to the hydraulic system of the backhoe for supplying driving force to the hydraulic motor with the backhoe boom being manipulated in a manner to position the pumping unit with the pump partially or completely immersed in the flowable material, said pump casing including downwardly extending legs to provide support for the casing to space it from the bottom of a reservoir containing the flowable material, said depending legs terminating in pointed ends for penetration of the supporting surface to prevent rotation of the pumping unit due to torque produced by the hydraulic motor on driving the pump.
 2. A movable integral pumping unit adapted to be partially or completely immersed in flowable material to be pumped comprising a pump including a casing and drive shaft, drive motor means drivingly connected to said shaft and supported rigid with said casing thereby providing a movable integral unit, and means on said pumping unit for quick connection with and disconnection from a supporting structure by virtue of which the pumping unit may be easily moved, said motor means being in the form of a hydraulic motor, flexible hose means connected with the hydraulic motor and adapted to be quickly and easily connected and disconnected in relation to a source of hydraulic pressure for driving the motor, said means on the pumping unit for connection with a supporting structure including a pair of spaced brackets receiving a flexible member, said flexible member encircling a bucket on the outer end of a boom of a backhoe, said hydraulic hoses being connected to the hydraulic system of the backhoe for supplying driving force to the hydraulic motor with the backhoe boom being manipulated in a manner to position the pumping unit with the pump partially or completely immersed in the flowable material, said pump casing including downwardly extending legs to provide support for the casing to space it from the bottom of a reservoir containing the flowable material, said depending legs including a bottom plate connecting the lower ends thereof for engagement with the bottom surface of a reservoir for the flowable material to space the pump casing from the bottom of the reservoir.
 3. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said casing includes a rigid discharge pipe extending upwardly therefrom generally in parallel relation to the drive shaft, said brackets rigidly supporting the hydraulic motor from the discharge pipe for forming an integral unit with the hydraulic motor connected with the drive shaft.
 4. A pumping unit comprising a pump including a casing with inlet means and outlet means, drive means for the pump, means on said pumping unit for supporting connection with construction machines or the like such as a backhoe, drag line, power shovel and the like having a lift device associated therewith to enable the pumping unit to be manipulated for placement directly into a site from which flowable material is to be pumped, said inlet means in the casing including a downwardly facing inlet opening enabling entry of flowable material when the pumping unit is lowered so that the inlet opening is at least partially below the level of the flowable material, a plurality of downwardly depending legs connected with said casing to provide support for the casing and space the inlet opening from a supporing surface to assure access of flowable material to the inlet opening, each of said depending legs terminating in pointed lower ends for penetration of the supporting surface to prevent rotation of the pumping unit due to torque produced by driving the pump.
 5. The structure as defined in claim 4 wherein said outlet means includes a rigid discharge pipe extending rigidly upwardly from the casing, said drive means for the pump including a drive motor supported above the casing, a drive shaft extending between the motor and casing for driving the pump, bracket members rigidly supporting the motor from the discharge pipe to provide a fixed relationship between the components of the pumping unit, said means for supporting connections with construction machines comprising a flexible suspension cable connected with the pumping unit to suspend the casing, the pointed ends of the legs penetrating the supporting surface preventing twisting of the cable.
 6. A pumping unit comprising a pump including a casing with inlet means and outlet means, drive means for the pump, means on said pumping unit for supporting connection with construction machines or the like such as a backhoe, drag line, power shovel and the like having a lift device associated therewith to enable the pumping unit to be manipulated for placement directly into a site from which flowable material is to be pumped, said inlet means in the casing including a downwardly facing inlet opening enabling entry of flowable material when the pumping unit is lowered so that the inlet opening is at least partially beLow the level of the flowable material, a plurality of downwardly depending legs connected with said casing to provide support for the casing and space the inlet opening from a supporting surface to assure access of flowable material to the inlet opening, a bottom plate connected to the lower ends of said depending legs for engagement with the supporting surface to support the pumping unit and space the casing from the supporting surface.
 7. The structure as defined in claim 6 wherein said outlet means includes a rigid discharge pipe extending upwardly from the casing, said drive means including a motor above the casing and a drive shaft interconnecting the motor and pump, bracket members rigidly supporting the drive motor and shaft from the discharge pipe thereby maintaining a rigid interrelationship of the components of the pumping unit, said means for supporting connection with construction machines comprising means on the pumping unit receiving a tightenable flexible member adapted to be disposed in encircling relation to an excavating bucket of a construction machine with the discharge pipe engaging a surface of the bucket for maintaining a fixed relationship between the bucket and pumping unit.
 8. The structure as defined in claim 7 wherein said drive motor is a hydraulic motor, flexible hose means connected with the hydraulic motor, said flexible hose means adapted to be connected with a hydraulic pressure system of the construction machine thereby enabling manipulation of the pumping unit and operation of the hydraulic motor to drive the same from the construction machine without modification of the construction machine. 